Solar has overtaken coal in Europe, and gas for electricity generation is down for the 5th year in a row. Those are the key findings in the latest report from the remarkable firm Ember's European Electricity Review 2025.
"While the progress made in the first half of this decade is impressive, an acceleration is needed between now and 2030," Ember's Chris Rosslowe and Beatrice Petrovich write.
There's a lot in that report; Molly Lempriere of Renew Economy analyzed it well, pulling out some key charts. Let's see that momentum worldwide!
Let's see that momentum worldwide! We've all got a role to play in that, from infrastructure capacity building to shifting demand through cultural change. Not everything's going to work forever (see our Visual of the Day below, for example) but we don't know for sure which experiments will prove most impactful in the long run.
PS. you're invited to join us on Zoom for three calls coming up, Startup Sessions, Activism Hour, and our Q2 kick off in April. Let us know if you know other people we should invite!
Thanks for joining us here. Let's dig into today's updates and opportunities.
-Marshall Kirkpatrick
Earth Catalyst: We'll support your work with our experience, network, and technology
Today and every day, our system scans over 1,000 green tech and sustainability organizations for updates. Below, you'll find:
A Visual of the Day
A digest-style Table of Contents for 170 selected updates from around the green tech and sustainability world
(If you subscribe by email) 3 personalized selections just for you and your work
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Visual of the Day
Progress Requires a Portfolio of Experiments
The Ivanpah Solar Electric Generating Facility, once the world's largest concentrated solar power plant with its 173,500 mirrors and towering 450-foot structures, came online 10 years ago. Since then, the cost of photovoltaic and batter systems has dropped dramatically, making concentrated solar (mirrors that heat liquid to turn a steam turbine) economically unviable. Thus PG&E's recent decision to terminate two power purchase agreements and shut down two-thirds of the facility.
It brings to my mind the wisdom of Margaret Heffernan: "In a situation where you can’t predict what the future is going to hold, where there are many influences and you can’t tell which you can affect, then the thing to do is to use experiments – in other words, try stuff and see if it makes a difference....Failed experiments often look inefficient, but they're often the only way you can find out how to real world works." And "in a world where many things are certain, but ambiguous as to when and how they will happen, efficiency can prove unhelpful. Better to be robust. "
Today's Updates
Table of Contents
Agriculture (7 stories) - WFP partners on Syrian refugee farming aid; Corpus Christi taps emergency water; UK bans Cruiser SB pesticide; Pan Amazon informal agriculture rises; efficiency vs regenerative farming debated
Carbon (2 stories) - Microsoft partners with re.green on Brazilian reforestation while coastal methane emissions show tidal influence
Circular (3 stories) - Chef Végh's food waste recipes, Good360's wildfire relief strategy, and reusable cotton totes' environmental breakeven analysis
Ecosystems (12 stories) - UNC Asheville maps Hurricane Helene damage; Madagascar's Lavavola Center loses 450 rare tortoises; Panama's Puerto Barú threatens mangroves; WWF reports 73% wildlife decline; California mountain lion conflicts rise
Efficiency (4 stories) - AI data centers' surging power needs; Bedrock Energy's geothermal HVAC drilling; carbon cloth electrodes for desalination; PSR's My Green Doctor program
Finance (16 stories) - AllianzGI, EIB secure €450M climate fund, BNP Paribas raises €172M for cleantech, BeZero Carbon gets $32M Series C, while Global Energy Alliance attracts $1.07B for renewable projects amid shifting investment patterns and VC slowdown
Grid (10 stories) - MISO demand response rules rejected, Moss Landing battery fire raises safety concerns, while TVA and Santee Cooper advance nuclear plans amid grid reliability challenges from aging coal plants and pipeline constraints
Indigenous (15 stories) - Fire Networks' 26 training events span 8 states, Bears Ears faces mining threats, Indigenous groups lead prescribed burns from California to Brazil, while NDN Collective and global partners advance traditional fire management
Industry (4 stories) - TerraPower's nuclear tech for AI data centers, steady solar manufacturing profits, mining water monitoring advances, and Utah counties explore clean energy transitions
Policy (53 stories) - State governors defy federal climate retreat as 24 commit to Paris targets; Trump orders target Biden policies and wind projects; Republican districts receive 75% of IRA funds despite repeal push; Bloomberg fills UN climate budget gap
Renewables (26 stories) - EU solar surpasses coal as 3SUN expands to 3GW in Catania; major projects advance in Abu Dhabi (Masdar), Australia (70GW hub), and China's Ulan Buh Desert (JA Solar), while Trump blocks U.S. offshore wind development
Transport (17 stories) - H55 and Aerovolt's global electric aircraft charging network, Mumbai's 8,000 e-bus expansion, Volvo's EX30/EX90 pricing, Tesla/Polestar's 5-star safety ratings, and NIO's sustainability ranking lead transport developments
Agriculture
WFP partners on Syrian refugee farming aid; Corpus Christi taps emergency water; UK bans Cruiser SB pesticide; Pan Amazon informal agriculture rises; efficiency vs regenerative farming debated
Building climate-resilient livelihoods for refugees and host communities in Jordan (CGIAR) - International researchers and the World Food Programme unite to create agricultural financing solutions for 1.3 million Syrian refugees and Jordanian communities facing climate challenges.
Corpus Christi Launches Emergency Water Projects as Reservoirs Dwindle and Industrial Demand Grows (InsideClimateNews) - Amid plummeting reservoir levels and surging industrial demands, Corpus Christi has activated emergency groundwater pumping while desalination plans remain stalled.
Government overturns Tory measure and bans emergency use of bee-killing pesticide (The Guardian) - Ministers have banned the emergency use of bee-killing pesticide Cruiser SB on sugar beet crops, aligning with EU restrictions and overturning previous Conservative policy.
In the Pan Amazon, inequality and informality fuel informal economies (Mongabay) - Rising poverty and weak oversight have pushed 80% of Pan Amazon's farmers and miners into informal work, accelerating environmental degradation across the region.
The climate-ag grab bag (Latitude Media) - Agricultural experts say boosting land-use efficiency, rather than regenerative farming, could better tackle climate change while feeding Earth's growing population.
Women farmers resisting agribusinesses in Morocco (Via Campesina) - Moroccan women farmers battle harsh labor conditions and exploitation while foreign agribusinesses expand export operations, sending cheap produce to European markets.
New Study in Nature: Small-Scale Fisheries Essential to Global Nutrition, Livelihoods (Nature) - Small-scale fisheries provide vital sustenance and income for millions across developing nations, accounting for a substantial portion of global seafood production, researchers report.
Carbon
Microsoft partners with re.green on Brazilian reforestation while coastal methane emissions show tidal influence
Coastal waters: An underestimated source of methane (ScienceDaily) - Researchers have discovered that shallow coastal waters emit significant amounts of methane, with tides and ocean currents driving release patterns despite natural bacterial reduction.
Microsoft Signs Forest Restoration Deal to Remove 3.5 Million Tons of CO2 (ESGToday) - Tech giant Microsoft aims to remove 6.5 million tons of carbon through a 15-year partnership with re.green, restoring 33,000 hectares of Brazilian forests.
Circular
Chef Végh's food waste recipes, Good360's wildfire relief strategy, and reusable cotton totes' environmental breakeven analysis
Chef Vojtech Végh's 5 Ways to Reimagine Food Waste this Lunar New Year (Winnow Solutions) - Award-winning chef Vojtech Végh reveals five creative methods to transform traditional Lunar New Year food scraps into delicious dishes.
How to Help Survivors of the Southern California Wildfires (Good360) - Aid organization Good360 delivers $1.5M in critical supplies to Southern California wildfire survivors, emphasizing cash donations provide greater assistance than physical goods.
How the ‘forever tote’ became the It bag du jour (The Guardian) - Premium cotton 'forever totes' challenge disposable bags, requiring 50-150 uses to offset environmental costs yet offering durability beyond standard totes' typical three-use lifespan.
Ecosystems
UNC Asheville maps Hurricane Helene damage; Madagascar's Lavavola Center loses 450 rare tortoises; Panama's Puerto Barú threatens mangroves; WWF reports 73% wildlife decline; California mountain lion conflicts rise
After the fire: Rain on wildfire burn scars can trigger deadly debris flows – a geologist explains how (The Conversation) - Scientists warn that rainfall on wildfire-scorched terrain can unleash destructive debris flows when water hits water-repellent soil lacking protective vegetation.
Appalachia’s Recovery from Hurricane Helene (Dogwood Alliance) - Students at UNC Asheville mapped the impact of Hurricane Helene's 2024 devastation across Western North Carolina, where recovery efforts continue after 89% of the region's infrastructure was damaged.
Conspiracy-laden, fire-prone icons: what will happen to LA’s palm trees? (The Guardian) - Los Angeles officials are shifting away from the city's 75,000 palm trees, which fueled recent fires, toward shadier species better suited to rising temperatures.
Ecoturismo, é possível? (Meli-bees.org) - Experts say community-based nature tourism offers the best path to minimize environmental impacts, despite challenges facing the eco-tourism industry.
Floods devastate tortoise sanctuary in southern Madagascar (Mongabay) - Tropical Cyclone Dikeledi has killed 450 endangered tortoises at Madagascar's Lavavola Tortoise Center, home to 12,000 critically endangered radiated and spider tortoises.
In Panama, major port construction begins at key mangrove site (Mongabay) - Construction of Panama's $1.8 billion Puerto Barú port project has begun in protected mangrove forests, raising concerns over impacts to marine breeding grounds and carbon storage.
Scientists are tracking global wildlife’s contributions to humanity (Mongabay) - Wildlife species contribute to two-thirds of nature's benefits to humanity, according to new research tracking vertebrate animals' role in supporting human well-being.
The 2024 Living Planet Report: What Does it Show and Is it Accurate? (Earth.org) - Global wildlife populations have plunged by 73% on average since 1970, according to WWF's latest Living Planet Report, though experts note this doesn't directly measure total biodiversity decline.
Deadly Encounter: Mountain Lion Attacks Spark Controversy (Yale E360) - Rising mountain lion encounters in California have sparked fierce debate between conservationists and hunting advocates, with five attacks reported in the past year alone.
19 Books About Wolves (The Revelator) - A curated collection of 19 books delves into humanity's turbulent history with wolves through scientific research, personal stories and artistic narratives.
Birdwatchers rally behind endemic hummingbird, spurring conservation movement in Mexico (Mongabay) - Local birdwatchers have created a 12-hectare reserve in Veracruz to protect Mexico's endemic sheartail hummingbird, using ecotourism funds to support community conservation efforts.
Ecotourism, Is It Possible? (Meli-Bees) - Local management and informed tourist choices can reduce environmental damage from nature-based tourism, despite the impossibility of zero-impact travel.
Efficiency
AI data centers' surging power needs; Bedrock Energy's geothermal HVAC drilling; carbon cloth electrodes for desalination; PSR's My Green Doctor program
Artificial Intelligence: The Chicken or the Egg? (EnergyCentral) - Experts warn AI data centers could consume up to 20% of global electricity by 2025, sparking debate over environmental costs versus technological gains.
Geothermal Tech Startup Bedrock Raises $12 Million to Scale Carbon-Free HVAC for Buildings (ESGToday) - Geothermal startup Bedrock Energy secures $12M in Series A funding to expand its autonomous drilling HVAC system, promising to cut building energy costs by 50% while reducing emissions by 90%.
Researchers strike the “Achilles Heel” of desalination (Anthropocene Magazine) - Scientists have developed carbon cloth electrodes that cut chemical costs by 15% in seawater treatment by efficiently removing boron during desalination.
Accelerate Environmental Sustainability in Your Practice in 2025 with MGD (PSR) - Healthcare practices can boost sustainability at no cost through PSR's My Green Doctor program, which adds five-minute environmental action steps to staff meetings throughout 2025.
Finance
AllianzGI, EIB secure €450M climate fund, BNP Paribas raises €172M for cleantech, BeZero Carbon gets $32M Series C, while Global Energy Alliance attracts $1.07B for renewable projects amid shifting investment patterns and VC slowdown
AllianzGI, EIB Raise €450 Million for Emerging Markets-Focused Climate Fund (ESGToday) - Investment giants AllianzGI and EIB have secured €450 million for a climate fund targeting 150 renewable energy, sustainable transport, and climate resilience projects across emerging markets.
Ameresco Wins Silver in Large Company of the Year Category at the 2024 Best in Biz Awards (Ameresco) - Leading clean energy firm Ameresco earned silver honors in Best in Biz Awards' Large Company category, recognizing its 2024 sustainability and innovation milestones.
Australia’s moment: How Trump’s fossil turn can supercharge our energy revolution (RenewEconomy) - Global investors seek new clean energy markets as billions in renewable capital shift away from US, with Australia poised to become a prime destination.
BNP Paribas AM Raises $179 Million for Cleantech Venture Fund (ESGToday) - BNP Paribas Asset Management has secured €172M ($179M) for a cleantech venture fund focused on sustainable startups across Europe and North America.
California fires highlight insurance issues across nation, including in New Jersey (NJ Organizing Project) - Insurance experts warn of nationwide premium hikes and reduced coverage options after major carriers drop California wildfire policies amid mounting climate disasters.
Davos 2025: Day 3 video diary (WEF) - Global executives at Davos 2025 report 73% higher profits through climate initiatives, while emphasizing data-driven solutions for interconnected environmental challenges.
Davos reflections - Sherry Madera (CDP) - Global business leaders at Davos maintain climate action as a key priority, with CDP data showing 23,000 companies disclosing environmental metrics in 2023.
EIA expects higher wholesale U.S. natural gas prices as demand increases (EIA) - U.S. natural gas prices are forecast to climb to $3.10/MMBtu in 2025 and $4.00/MMBtu in 2026 amid surging LNG export demands.
Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) wins inaugural World Economic Forum award for catalyzing cross-sector partnerships to advance the energy transition (GEAPP) - The Global Energy Alliance has secured $1.07 billion for 130 renewable energy projects across 40 countries, earning recognition at the World Economic Forum.
Investor interest in solar, storage cools amid Trump administration uncertainty (Utility Dive) - Global venture capital investment plunged 36% for solar and 60% for energy storage in 2024, as Trump-era policy uncertainty and rising interest rates rattled investors.
Lightshift Energy, Basis Climate Complete Sale of ITCs for BESS Projects (Power Magazine) - Energy firms complete $10M tax credit sale for four utility-scale battery storage facilities in Massachusetts, aimed at enhancing grid stability during peak demand periods.
Tech 4 Good: 5 mins on SRG’s AI-assisted research on fossil fuel financing (Stand.earth) - Senior researcher demonstrates AI-powered tracking system that maps Amazon oil and gas financing patterns during Tech 4 Good webinar.
The Week in AgriFoodTech: ‘Carbon ratings’ agency BeZero Carbon raises $32m, alt-cheese maker Willicroft shuts down (AgFunderNews) - London-based BeZero Carbon secured $32M in Series C funding, while Dutch alt-cheese maker Willicroft ceased operations.
What a Tax Attorney Thinks of Trump’s IRA Order (Heatmap News) - Tax experts say Trump's IRA order impacts only discretionary funding while preserving core tax credits, leaving questions about direct payment procedures unresolved.
Davos 2025: Day 4 video diary (WEF) - Global business leaders at Davos 2025 unveiled a new corporate health assessment tool while addressing environmental sustainability and economic growth challenges.
JLL Appoints Josephine Tucker to Lead New Energy Advisory and Sustainability Practice (ESGToday) - JLL names Josephine Tucker to head its new Energy Advisory and Sustainability practice, offering comprehensive energy solutions for real estate clients across the Americas.
Grid
MISO demand response rules rejected, Moss Landing battery fire raises safety concerns, while TVA and Santee Cooper advance nuclear plans amid grid reliability challenges from aging coal plants and pipeline constraints
FERC rejects MISO’s demand response model for Order 2222 (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Federal regulators rejected MISO's demand response model over its 1 MW minimum size requirement but approved its $60,000 per substation DER study deposit mandate.
Inside PG&E’s race to reinvent California’s grid (Latitude Media) - California's largest utility deploys rapid prototyping at its new tech campus to test wildfire prevention solutions, despite facing delays in hardware development and implementation with startup partners.
Is a Plan for $100 Billion in AI Data Centers Pie in the Sky? (EnergyCentral) - Tech giants OpenAI, Oracle and SoftBank join Trump's ambitious $100 billion data center initiative, despite mounting concerns over its financial and infrastructural viability.
Making Sense of the Giant Fire that Could Set Back Energy Storage (InsideClimateNews) - A massive fire at California's Moss Landing facility, home to 3 gigawatt-hours of lithium-ion batteries, has sparked fresh debate over the safety of large-scale indoor energy storage systems.
Old king coal risks leaving Australia “in the dark” as aging power plants grow unreliable (RenewEconomy) - Australia's aging coal fleet, with 60% of plants exceeding 40 years old, shows reliability plummeting from 81% to 65% availability, threatening widespread blackouts during peak demand.
Q&A: How China became the world’s leading market for energy storage (Carbon Brief) - China surged ahead as the global energy storage leader, installing 31.4GW of new battery capacity in 2023 through mandatory storage requirements tied to renewable projects.
Santee Cooper Seeks Proposals to Complete AP1000 Units at V.C. Summer Nuclear Site (POWER Magazine) - South Carolina's Santee Cooper utility is seeking completion proposals for two unfinished AP1000 nuclear reactors at V.C. Summer, driven by data center demands and carbon reduction targets.
TVA Taps Bechtel, Sargent & Lundy, and GE Hitachi for Clinch River SMR Nuclear Project (POWER Magazine) - TVA has selected three major firms to spearhead planning and design of a 300-MW small modular reactor at Tennessee's Clinch River Nuclear site.
Complex electricity tariffs doing more harm than good, as consumers fall through the knowledge gap (RenewEconomy) - Complex electricity tariffs are baffling 82% of Australian consumers, with time-of-use pricing schemes hitting low-income households hardest, according to a new survey.
Lack of Northeast gas pipeline capacity poses ‘severe threats to reliability’ in cold weather: NERC (Utility Dive) - Limited pipeline capacity threatens Northeast power reliability during cold snaps, as most gas generators lack firm transport agreements, according to NERC's latest assessment.
Indigenous
Fire Networks' 26 training events span 8 states, Bears Ears faces mining threats, Indigenous groups lead prescribed burns from California to Brazil, while NDN Collective and global partners advance traditional fire management
2024: A Year of Growth and Connection for the Fire Networks (Fire Networks) - Fire Networks expanded its reach across eight U.S. states and three countries in 2024, delivering 26 prescribed fire training events while strengthening Indigenous partnerships and community resilience initiatives.
Are Our Public Lands on the Chopping Block Again? (NRDC) - Trump's Project 2025 aims to open Bears Ears Monument and public lands to mining and drilling, jeopardizing Indigenous sites and a $12.7 billion tourism sector.
Burning for Better in Southwest Montana (Fire Networks) - Montana agencies and landowners have united to conduct a 1,300-acre prescribed burn in Mill Gulch, aiming to protect sagebrush habitat and reduce wildfire threats.
Celebrating 10 Years of the Blog! (Fire Networks) - Network marks decade-long milestone with 680-plus published stories from global practitioners, researchers and indigenous communities sharing wildfire resilience strategies.
Community Weaving for Eco-Cultural Restoration: Partnering with Tribes in Lake County, CA (Fire Networks) - Local tribes and scientists unite in Lake County, California, combining traditional Pomo knowledge with modern research to protect Clear Lake's watershed and reduce wildfire risks.
Em terras do povo Kalapalo (MT), plantio de agrofloresta une muvuca, sementes locais e conhecimento ancestral (ISA) - Indigenous Kalapalo people in Brazil's Mato Grosso state have planted 12.5 hectares using ancestral "muvuca" seeding methods and local species to preserve their culture while generating sustainable income.
Engaging Communities with Prescribed Fire: Lessons Learned from PBA Outreach in Fire-Prone Areas (Fire Networks) - Fire-prone communities in Trinity County are embracing prescribed burn initiatives through trauma-informed workshops, strategic facilitation, and sustained follow-up efforts, reports The Watershed Center.
In Uganda, a women-led reforestation initiative fights flooding, erosion (Mongabay) - Women in Uganda's Kasese district are planting native Ficus and Dracaena trees to combat flooding and erosion while preserving traditional ecological knowledge.
Memories with President Carter in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (Alaska Wilderness League) - Former President Carter celebrated his landmark Alaska conservation law during a 1990 Arctic Refuge visit, sharing lunch and fishing with author Debbie Miller's family.
The Warmth That Keeps Us Coming Back (Fire Networks) - Despite mounting health risks and losses in 2024, fire leader Lenya Quinn-Davidson emphasizes the vital role of human connection and hospitality within fire management culture.
Voces del Fuego (Voices of Fire) (Fire Networks) - Fifty fire practitioners from 27 organizations across eight countries unite in California's first Spanish-language prescribed burn training, captured in the film "Voces del Fuego."
We Will Not Back Down: Affirming Our Commitment to Global Climate Justice (Amazon Watch) - Indigenous rights advocates vow to protect Amazon rainforest communities and climate justice initiatives, defying recent environmental policy reversals from Washington.
World Bank cancels $150m tourism project in Tanzania after abuse claims (Mongabay) - World Bank halts $150m tourism project at Tanzania's Ruaha National Park amid claims park authorities forcibly displaced 21,000 local residents.
Empowering Women in Blue Swimming Crab Fisheries Management in Lampung (EDF) - Women in Indonesia's Lampung province secure historic voting rights on fisheries management teams after EDF program establishes eight women's groups across five villages.
NDN Collective Releases Podcast Episode Focused on Expanded Senior Leadership (NDN Collective) - Indigenous advocacy group NDN Collective launches podcast featuring new president Wizipan Little Elk Garriott and senior leaders discussing land reclamation efforts and organizational vision.
Industry
TerraPower's nuclear tech for AI data centers, steady solar manufacturing profits, mining water monitoring advances, and Utah counties explore clean energy transitions
Bill Gates’ nuclear energy startup inks new data center deal (The Verge) - Bill Gates' TerraPower has partnered with Sabey Data Centers to develop small nuclear reactors that will power AI facilities across Texas and the Rocky Mountains.
Despite Challenges, 10 PV Module Manufactures Fare Notably Well In H1/2024: Wood Mackenzie (TaiyangNews) - Global PV module manufacturers maintained 66% average utilization rates and positive profits during H1 2024, despite market headwinds, according to Wood Mackenzie's latest analysis.
Selenium in Mining: Effective Technology for Accurate Monitoring (KETOS) - Advanced water monitoring technology enables real-time selenium tracking across global mining operations, ensuring compliance while monitoring contaminant levels around the clock.
What happens after Utah’s coal-fired power plants close? (High Country News) - Utah's Carbon and Emery counties weigh nuclear, carbon capture and solar options as communities brace for the economic impact of inevitable coal plant closures.
Policy
State governors defy federal climate retreat as 24 commit to Paris targets; Trump orders target Biden policies and wind projects; Republican districts receive 75% of IRA funds despite repeal push; Bloomberg fills UN climate budget gap
Re: Oppose Lee Zeldin’s Nomination to serve as EPA Administrator (LCV) - Environmental advocates warn against Lee Zeldin's EPA nomination, pointing to his 14% lifetime environmental voting record and pattern of opposing climate protections.
'Taking the brakes off Britain': Government moves to streamline Judicial Review process (BusinessGreen) - Ministers aim to accelerate major infrastructure projects by overhauling Britain's Judicial Review system, targeting delays from legal challenges to wind farms and airports.
24 U.S. States Commit to Paris Agreement Goals After Trump Exits Accord (ESGToday) - Twenty-four American state governors vow to cut emissions 50-52% by 2030 from 2005 levels, upholding Paris Agreement targets despite federal withdrawal.
4 Under-the-Radar Implications of Trump’s Executive Orders (Heatmap) - Trump's 46 executive orders aim to dismantle Biden-era environmental justice, ESG policies, Indigenous naming rights, and California water rules, reversing 78 previous directives.
75% of Inflation Reduction Act Spending Is in Republican Districts (YouTube) - New data reveals that Republican districts are receiving 75% of Inflation Reduction Act funds, despite their party's push to repeal the legislation.
A solar trade group is ‘deeply disappointed’ in New York’s latest budget proposal. Here’s what it wants (Renewable Energy World) - Solar industry leaders blast New York's 2025 budget plan for failing to expand distributed energy programs and modernize tax credits needed to achieve state climate targets.
After Trump’s pullback, Bloomberg promises to fill US funding gap to UN climate body (Climate Change News) - American billionaire Michael Bloomberg pledges to fill the 22% funding gap in the UN climate body's core budget after President Trump halts US contributions.
Alberta’s ‘Zero Tolerance’ Enforcement Strategy Doesn’t Apply to Polluters (DeSmog) - Alberta's energy regulator fined Imperial Oil $50,000 - just 0.004% of quarterly profits - while ignoring 96% of over 500 toxic tailings incidents reported between 2014 and 2023.
Better digital literacy could help reduce climate and disaster conspiracy theories (The Conversation) - Digital literacy programs and government action could reduce climate disaster misinformation on social media that impedes emergency responses, researchers say.
Book review: “Glacial” exposes the heroes and villains of U.S. climate policy (Yale Climate Connections) - A new book examines six decades of American climate policy, tracking pivotal moments and players from President Johnson through Trump's administration.
Can Trump Reverse the Climate Endangerment Finding? (NRDC) - Legal experts predict Trump's executive order challenging EPA's 2009 climate endangerment finding will fail, as the determination rests on established scientific evidence.
Climate Conversation: Linda Krop (Bluedot Living) - Environmental attorney Linda Krop details her 30-year battle against oil companies, including current efforts to block ExxonMobil's Santa Barbara drilling lease transfer to Sable Offshore Oil.
Coal-reliant South African provinces falling behind on just transition (Climate Home News) - Only one of South Africa's nine provinces has developed comprehensive clean energy transition policies, leaving coal-dependent regions unprepared for the shift to net-zero emissions.
Community Wildfire Defense Grants: A Round Three Application Primer (Fire Networks) - US Forest Service launches $200 million grant program, enabling communities and Tribes to mitigate wildfire risks through February 2025.
Environmentalists Denounce Proposed Geoengineering Project in Gulf of Maine (Friends of the Earth) - Environmental groups are fighting a proposal to dump 16,500 gallons of sodium hydroxide into the Gulf of Maine, warning the chemical experiment threatens endangered marine species.
Ep. 420 (Don’t) Forget Paris (Texas Impact) - The United States has withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement for the second time in history following a new executive order from the President.
EPA gives states explicit steps to stop PFAS pollution at the source (Southern Environmental Law Center) - Federal regulators have issued detailed guidance enabling states to halt industrial PFAS contamination through Clean Water Act provisions.
Executive Orders on Energy and Climate Have Advocates Across the Nation on Edge (CLEO Institute) - Trump's executive orders targeting climate policies have sparked nationwide alarm, as plans emerge to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and cut funding for electric vehicle charging stations and offshore wind projects.
Firefighters battle to keep upper hand on new wildfire north of Los Angeles (The Guardian) - Fast-moving Hughes fire near Los Angeles has scorched 16 square miles, forcing 50,000 residents to evacuate, with firefighters achieving 36% containment amid multiple regional blazes.
Future Effects of Climate Change in the U.S. (Energy Central) - Federal analysis reveals climate change could cost U.S. economy $2 trillion annually by 2100, according to nonpartisan report prepared for Senate Budget Committee.
Halting new wind farms while coal plants buckle: Is this the LNP’s plan for Queensland? (RenewEconomy) - Queensland's government suspends wind farm approvals despite coal plants failing to meet 16% of peak demand, jeopardizing the state's renewable energy targets and industrial decarbonization efforts.
Harsh Realities Confront Maryland and Its Bold Climate Plans (Inside Climate News) - Maryland's 25 state agencies have outlined sweeping climate plans for 2025, despite grappling with budget constraints, staff shortages and accountability concerns.
Hear the effects of seismic airguns (YouTube) - Live demonstration at congressional hearing reveals seismic airgun blasts' impact on marine life, as Republicans push CORE Act to ease regulations.
How global inequalities hinder climate action (The Conversation) - As billionaire wealth surges by 3.3 trillion dollars since 2020, climate disasters continue devastating Earth's poorest communities, with developing nations bearing 91% of related deaths.
How to Fact-Check Social Media During Trump’s Presidency (Atmos) - Social media giants' reduced fact-checking during Trump's presidency spurs experts to outline five essential verification methods for online content.
Hughes Fire Sends 10,000 Acres Up in Smoke (Heatmap News) - Fast-moving Hughes Fire in Los Angeles County has scorched 10,000 acres and forced 30,000 residents to evacuate, though firefighters report 14% containment with no structural losses.
Kenyan counties invest in climate adaptation and peace (CGIAR) - Local climate adaptation initiatives spread across Kenya's 47 counties, integrating conflict resolution into community-led environmental projects.
Labour MPs ordered to sink landmark climate and environment bill (The Guardian) - Opposition MPs were ordered to vote against a major climate bill after the party sought to remove requirements for international treaty compliance.
Lead in Water: A Work in Progress Across America (KETOS) - Nine million lead service lines persist in US water systems, prompting increased federal and state efforts to expedite replacements and enhance monitoring protocols.
LiveEO | Legal Obligations for Companies Affected by EUDR (LiveEO) - Companies must now collect geolocation data and assess risks under new EU regulations aimed at eliminating deforestation from supply chains.
Living with Smoke in the Greater Yellowstone (Fire Networks) - Three counties and Yellowstone National Park are implementing smoke-ready community plans to help residents cope with wildfire impacts through air monitoring, clean air spaces and communication strategies.
Our Climate’s Executive Director’s Response to the Withdrawl of the Paris Climate Agreement (Our Climate) - US climate leader Catherine Mongella warns that America's Paris Agreement exit damages global environmental efforts and weakens its international influence.
Russ Vought Makes a Power Play for Trump’s Energy Policy (Heatmap News) - Former OMB Director Russ Vought gains sweeping authority over energy policy and infrastructure funding under Trump's latest executive orders.
Sabin Center, EDF Re-Launch IRA Tracker with Tools for a New Administration (EDF) - Environmental advocates have unveiled enhanced tools to monitor climate policy threats, as the Sabin Center and EDF relaunch their IRA Tracker website ahead of potential administrative changes.
Scorched earth policy (Keep Cool) - Trump's executive orders on climate and energy seek to increase fossil fuel usage, though 85% of wind projects can still proceed on private property.
Some reflections on President Donald Trump's participation in the World Economic Forum in Davos today… (Energy Central) - Trump championed coal's durability and fossil fuel growth at the World Economic Forum, while voicing concerns about Saudi oil prices and AI's mounting energy consumption.
The Coming Climate Uncertainty Conundrum (DeSmog) - Climate experts warn that Arctic ice melt could disrupt Atlantic currents, exposing Britain and America to severe temperature swings between extreme heat and cold.
Today’s Political Rhetoric Rewards The Rich But Can’t Save The Planet (CleanTechnica) - Political leaders' support for fossil fuels benefits wealthy interests while ignoring climate science, even as data shows renewable energy's economic superiority.
Trump Executive Order Pumps Brakes on Federal Wind Approvals (EnergyCentral) - President Trump's executive order suspends offshore wind leases and federal permits for all wind projects until the Interior Department completes its review.
Trump leaving the Paris Agreement is ‘mostly symbolic.’ What does it actually mean? (Grist) - U.S. climate financing and observer status will end by 2026 under Trump's second Paris Agreement withdrawal, though experts note limited impact due to non-binding terms.
Trump rescinds federal program to boost low-carbon building materials (Canary Media) - The White House has canceled a federal program promoting low-carbon materials in government construction, despite $4.5 billion in existing funding and ongoing state initiatives.
Trump returns: nine things to expect for the climate (The Conversation) - Trump's potential return to office signals a second Paris Agreement exit and methane regulation rollbacks, despite possible continuation of clean energy incentives and nuclear power backing.
Trump Unveiled His Fossil Fuel Agenda. We’ll Fight for a Clean Energy Future Instead. (Earthjustice) - The White House issued orders expanding fossil fuel extraction on federal lands, sparking immediate legal challenges from environmental advocates seeking to protect America's natural resources.
Trump’s Wind Order Could Hit ‘More Than Half’ of New Projects (Heatmap News) - Federal permit requirements for turbines mean Trump's executive order halting wind project approvals could impact more than half of planned U.S. wind developments.
US set to lose out as Trump retreats from climate agreement, NGOs warn (Mongabay) - US withdrawal from Paris climate accord sparks NGO concerns over economic losses and rising climate threats as Trump launches second term.
We live in times of multiple entwined crises – but our policy responses aren’t keeping up (The Conversation) - Global experts warn current environmental policies are failing to tackle interlinked crises of biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution, as revealed in new IPBES findings.
What Trump can (and can’t) do to disrupt Los Angeles wildfire aid (Grist) - Federal aid for Los Angeles wildfire victims remains protected despite Trump's threats, though his administration could slow reimbursements and impact future housing funds.
Why climate action will continue to move forward (Greenplaces) - Climate action surges ahead as states, corporations, and small businesses embrace eco-friendly initiatives, with 73% of companies now prioritizing sustainability regardless of federal policy changes.
‘Chaos agent’ Trump revives California water wars as experts warn of turmoil (The Guardian) - Federal agencies must boost water diversions from California's Sacramento-San Joaquin delta to farms and cities, following orders from Trump that could upend decades of water-sharing agreements.
2025 Water Forecast: Transition, Changes, And Trends (KETOS) - Leading U.S. water organizations call for $500 billion in infrastructure spending, with emphasis on PFAS remediation and water reuse programs ahead of 2025.
An artist is painting a vision of a better world (Yale Climate Connections) - Artist Nicole Kelner's viral watercolor paintings, which explain climate solutions to her 100,000 social media followers, inspire others to communicate environmental messages through art.
Mexico misses one-year deadline to submit new protected areas’ management plans (Mongabay) - Mexico has failed to publish management plans for 20 protected areas spanning 2.3 million hectares, blaming leadership changes and budget cuts for missing the legally mandated deadline.
Nominations Open for 2025 Charlotte Brody Award (PSR) - Nominations are now open for the 2025 Charlotte Brody Award, which honors nurses' environmental health activism and includes conference attendance plus travel funding.
Renewables
EU solar surpasses coal as 3SUN expands to 3GW in Catania; major projects advance in Abu Dhabi (Masdar), Australia (70GW hub), and China's Ulan Buh Desert (JA Solar), while Trump blocks U.S. offshore wind development
'Fossil fuels are losing their grip': Study shows solar overtook coal in EU power mix last year (BusinessGreen) - Solar power surpassed coal in the EU's electricity mix for the first time in 2023, while gas generation fell for a fifth straight year.
3SUN: Scaling Up Europe’s 1st GW-Scale HJT Factory (TaiyangNews) - Italian solar manufacturer 3SUN will expand its Catania heterojunction cell factory from 1 GW to 3 GW annual capacity, making it Europe's largest such facility.
A Fine Week For Solar, Bad For Everyone Else (Heatmap News) - Solar projects gain approval in Nebraska and Alabama while Trump's executive order blocks Idaho's Lava Ridge wind farm and Ohio rejects new installations.
China Briefing 23 January 2025: China’s climate ‘concern’ over Trump; Peak oil debate; China’s energy storage lead (Carbon Brief) - China maintains climate pledges despite Trump's Paris exit, as it dominates 45% of global energy storage capacity and sees unprecedented growth in renewable energy installations.
China Solar PV News Snippets: JA Solar Delivers 1 GW n-Type Modules For Ulan Buh Desert Project & More (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer JA Solar delivers 1 GW of n-type modules to Ulan Buh Desert project as nation adds 120 GW distributed capacity and issues 827M green certificates.
Community Solar Still A Bright Spot Amid Trump Turmoil (CleanTechnica) - Illinois fast-food franchises embrace community solar initiative, projecting £500,000 in savings through 2043 despite federal policy changes.
DOE offers $30M for superhot rock geothermal projects (Utility Dive) - The Department of Energy's $30M initiative aims to tap superhot rock resources that could generate 4.3 TW of firm power using just 1% of U.S. geothermal capacity.
Embracing The New: BC Symbiosis (TaiyangNews) - Industry leaders predict back-contact solar cells will capture 50% market share by 2028, citing improved efficiency and lower costs during ISC Konstanz dialogue.
JA Solar Delivers 1GW n-Type PV Modules for Ulan Buh Desert Renewable Energy Pilot Project (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer JA Solar has delivered 1GW of n-type modules for the Ulan Buh Desert project, contributing to a planned 12GW wind-solar power hub.
Masdar Zeroes In On Contractors & Suppliers For Gigascale RE Project (TaiyangNews) - Masdar has selected five global contractors to build Abu Dhabi's 5.2 GW solar and 19 GWh storage facility, set to become the world's largest of its kind.
Massive 70 GW wind and solar project that straddles Nullarbor seeks federal green tick (RenewEconomy) - A colossal 70GW wind-solar hub in Western Australia, poised to generate 3.5 million tonnes of green hydrogen yearly, awaits federal approval.
Mentorship in Motion: WIRE Network Celebrates Progress in Barbados (RMI) - Female clean energy professionals in Barbados advance their careers through WIRE Network's Caribbean mentorship program, featuring site visits, leadership sessions, and development activities.
Once an engineering marvel, two-thirds of this concentrated solar power plant will shut down after a California utility pulled two of its PPAs (Renewable Energy World) - Two-thirds of California's record-setting Ivanpah Solar Plant will cease operations after utility giant PG&E terminated power agreements to reduce customer costs.
Solar charts record growth to overtake coal in EU power mix, send fossil fuels to 40-year low (RenewEconomy) - Solar generation in the EU has tripled since 2014, pushing fossil fuels to a 40-year low of 29% while renewables now account for 47% of the power mix.
TaiyangNews PV Price Index – 2025 - CW4 (TaiyangNews) - Chinese TOPCon module prices dropped while n-type upstream products sustained year-to-date gains during Week 4 of 2025, according to market data.
Tongwei and SINOTECH Forge Strategic Partnership to Drive Clean Energy Innovation (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar giants Tongwei and SINOTECH have partnered exclusively on renewable energy projects, with SINOTECH committing to source all modules from Tongwei.
Tongwei’s TNC and THC Modules Secure Spots on TaiyangNews’s 2024 “Top 10 Highest Efficiency Commercial Solar Modules” List (TaiyangNews) - Tongwei's THC-G12 solar module leads industry rankings with 24.99% efficiency and 776.2W output power, securing two spots on TaiyangNews's prestigious Top 10 list.
Trump Spits into the Wind (NRDC) - President Trump's executive order blocking offshore wind development imperils $25 billion in investments and thousands of clean energy jobs nationwide.
UK IPP Acquires Two U.S. Solar Farms Built by Qcells (POWER) - UK energy firm ContourGlobal has expanded its U.S. portfolio to 1.5 GW after acquiring 446 MW of solar projects from Qcells in Virginia and Colorado.
Verterra Energy Inc Selected for DOE's Hydropower Testing Network (Verterra Energy) - Minnesota-based Verterra Energy will test fish interactions with its modular turbine systems at Pacific Northwest National Laboratories under Department of Energy selection.
West Coast floating offshore wind could deliver 33 GW by 2050, DOE labs say (Utility Dive) - New research shows floating offshore wind along America's West Coast could generate 33 GW of power by 2050, but requires $11B in infrastructure and technology investments.
With Trump pivot back to pro-oil and gas policies, one renewable energy finds favor (Renewable Energy World) - Despite opposing wind and solar, the Trump administration backs geothermal power, noting its 24/7 reliability and shared drilling technology with oil and gas industries.
7th European Conference Future of Biofuels 2025 (Energy Central) - Industry leaders will gather in Gothenburg, Sweden this October to explore biofuel advancements at the 7th European Conference Future of Biofuels 2025.
AE Power Visits Huasun Xuancheng, Forging Stronger Ties to Expand Heterojunction Presence in Pakistan (TaiyangNews) - Pakistani distributor AE Power visited Huasun's Chinese headquarters to bolster their heterojunction solar partnership, following over 130MW of shipments this year.
Drax is taking positive action to deliver secure clean power and climate goals (Drax) - Leading UK biomass producer Drax unveils enhanced sustainability measures, including satellite monitoring and supply chain tracking, while pledging to train 500,000 people in green skills.
Martin Hackl Is Now The Chief Business Officer At Neoom (TaiyangNews) - Former Fronius International executive Martin Hackl has been appointed Chief Business Officer at Austrian cleantech firm Neoom, where he will spearhead sales and marketing initiatives.
Transport
H55 and Aerovolt's global electric aircraft charging network, Mumbai's 8,000 e-bus expansion, Volvo's EX30/EX90 pricing, Tesla/Polestar's 5-star safety ratings, and NIO's sustainability ranking lead transport developments
A Breath of Inspiration in Air Quality Research (REVOLVE) - A London commuter's daily journey sparked global research into traffic-weather-air quality relationships, leading to enhanced pollution control methods worldwide.
Expanding Heathrow is incompatible with net zero – here’s the evidence (The Conversation) - Heathrow's proposed third runway would cancel out Britain's clean power emissions gains by 2050, disproportionately serving affluent passengers.
H55 and Aerovolt Partner to Revolutionize Electric Pilot Training and Charging Infrastructure (H55) - Swiss aviation firm H55 and charging specialist Aerovolt join forces to create a worldwide electric aircraft charging network while introducing CCS-powered electric flight training.
Helping Cities Accelerate E-Bike Adoption (RMI) - A new calculator enables governments to measure the benefits of shifting from cars to e-bikes, including $645 in annual savings per resident and reduced emissions.
I’m obsessed with icebreaking: I was trained not to hit anything – now I drive my ship into ice 24/7 (The Guardian) - British captain Will Whatley commands RRS Sir David Attenborough, breaking Antarctic ice at 8 knots to reach research stations and conduct marine science missions.
Mumbai Looking to Roll Out 8,000 Electric Buses by 2027 (CleanTechnica) - Mumbai aims to expand its electric bus fleet nearly tenfold to 8,000 vehicles, including 1,000 double-deckers, by 2027.
Rachel Reeves’s bid to expand Heathrow could add £40 to airline ticket (The Guardian) - Treasury analysis reveals Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves's Heathrow expansion plan could raise airline tickets by £40 by 2040 due to sustainable fuel costs.
Schneider Electric and Liminal Partner to Enable High-Quality, Scalable EV Battery Production While Minimizing Waste (Liminal Insights) - Schneider Electric's partnership with Liminal integrates ultrasound inspection into EV battery production, potentially saving manufacturers $10M annually per 10 GWh while reducing waste.
The Cost Of Level 3 Fast Chargers Is Declining (CleanTechnica) - Level 3 EV fast charger prices have fallen 26% to $58,100 per unit, with Chinese manufacturers now offering units at costs up to 63% below global market rates.
The Electric Tractor Battery: The Role of a Battery Management System (Monarch Tractor) - Battery management systems in electric tractors monitor vital data while enabling flexible horsepower and exportable power, ensuring both safety and longevity for agricultural operations.
Trump’s Plan to Claw Back EV Charging Funds: It’s Not That Simple (NRDC) - Legal and practical hurdles block Trump's bid to freeze federal EV charging funds, with $2.4 billion already contracted and plans approved across all 50 states.
US Startup Harnesses Cryo-Compression For Hydrogen Vehicles (CleanTechnica) - California-based Verne has developed cryo-compression technology that boosts hydrogen storage density 33% beyond liquid hydrogen, attracting US Military interest and major investment backing.
Worksite in Sweden Reaches 50% Electrification (CleanTechnica) - Swedish construction site boosts electrification to 50% using Volvo CE machines, marking a 40% increase since 2021, as it aims for zero fossil fuel use by 2025.
2025 Volvo EX30 & EX90 Pricing Unveiled, EX40 Introduced (CleanTechnica) - Swedish automaker Volvo reveals pricing for its 2025 EX30 and EX90 models at $44,900 and $79,995 respectively, while introducing an enhanced EX40 with improved battery and charging features.
40% of Safest Car Brands Are Electric Vehicle Brands (CleanTechnica) - Two electric vehicle makers, Tesla and Polestar, rank among five automakers achieving perfect five-star safety ratings in every NHTSA test since 2014.
NIO Scores Another Notch In Its Green Belt (CleanTechnica) - Chinese automaker NIO has surged to 13th place in Corporate Knights' 2025 Global 100 sustainability index, leading the automotive sector after climbing 37 positions from last year.
Polestar Sees Opportunity In Musk Meltdown (CleanTechnica) - Polestar's incoming CEO plans to woo disillusioned Tesla owners amid Elon Musk's controversial political stance, while expanding local manufacturing operations.
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